Embark on an exclusive morning adventure with ‘Backstage Tour and Breakfast with Captain Fawcett.’ Join us at the renowned Captain Fawcett’s Emporium in Kings Lynn for a unique opportunity to network with local businesses.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: The event runs for two hours, filled with engaging activities and networking opportunities.
Backstage Tour: Experience a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Captain Fawcett Emporium. Discover the secrets and stories that make Captain Fawcett a beloved figure in Kings Lynn.
Breakfast: Enjoy a selection of pastries accompanied by tea and coffee. All tea and coffee donations will be contributed to Captain Fawcett’s charity, supporting a noble cause.
Additional Information:
Pricing: Free for members and only £5 for non-members. An opportunity not to be missed!
Ticket Sales Cut-off: Secure your spot before midday on Tuesday, 30th January
Why Attend? This isn’t just a breakfast; it’s a morning filled with inspiration, learning, and community building. It’s your chance to meet like-minded individuals, hear from the illustrious Captain Fawcett, and be part of the burgeoning Kings Lynn business community.
Looking Ahead: This event marks the beginning of a series of exciting activities planned for Kings Lynn. Be the first to hear about what’s coming next!
Reserve your place now for an unforgettable morning with Captain Fawcett!
July 2012 retail sales volume up 0.3% on the month, up 2.8% on the year
Annual high street inflation slowed to 0.2% in June, the lowest since 2009
Commenting on the retails sales figures for July 2012, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“UK Retail sales made modest but satisfactory progress in July, with the monthly increase higher than expected. The 2.8% annual increase in retail sales volumes supports our belief that some of the pessimism surrounding the recent performance of the UK economy is unwarranted. This figure provides hope that in the third quarter of the year we will see some recovery in economic activity. There is no doubt that retails sales across Norfolk can be patchy but the success of the Norwich BID and the stream of national names heading from Norfolk demonstrates our continued retail strength. We have a lot of talented retailers in Norfolk and we need to ensure that they are supported especially those in the independent sector who are finding the current economic situation particularly challenging.
“The further decline in high street inflation is also welcome news. This will support disposable incomes and consumer spending, at a time when austerity and the eurozone crisis continue to put the economy under pressure.
“Despite the positive job market figures published this week, it is clear economic growth in the UK is still far too weak. We will continue to encourage the government do much more to help businesses to grow and create jobs at a time when the public sector continues to shrink.
“We need to see more measures to boost Norfolk infrastructure and strengthen the construction sector, alongside forceful deregulation and moves towards the creation of a state-backed business bank. It is also important to ensure that the Funding for Lending scheme is made to work effectively so that credit-worthy businesses are able to grow. We are working with our Business and Finance Group (BFC) made up of the key financial businesses banks and accountants to monitor what is happening in Norfolk
If you are interested in joining our network, we run regular franchise discovery days here at our Support Centre in Norwich. The discovery days are free to attend and run from 10am finishing at approx 5pm. We always try to ensure you get to meet the key staff at the Support Centre including one or all of the three Executive Directors.
Commenting on the labour market figures for May 2018, published this week by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“With unemployment declining and employment levels continuing to rise, the latest data confirms that the labour market remains a bright spot for the UK economy. However, while the latest figures are likely to reinforce the MPC’s hawkish rhetoric, labour market data tends to lag behind the wider economy, so any broader weakening in economic conditions wouldn’t be expected to appear in the figures for some time.
“While regular earnings growth continues to marginally outpace inflation, the decline in UK productivity in the first quarter is a clear warning sign that positive real wage growth should not be taken for granted. While businesses are reporting some upward pressure on pay, sluggish productivity and high upfront business costs are restricting the extent to which wages are able to rise.
“More needs to be done to support firms looking to recruit and grow their business, including tackling the high input costs faced by businesses and addressing the chronic labour shortages that continue to undermine the UK growth prospects.”
Commenting on the labour productivity statistics, Suren added:
“The fall in the first quarter is disappointing and shows that the recent pick-up in productivity was relatively short lived. The decline in the quarter was driven by weaker than expected GDP growth outturn in Q1 and the recent pick-up in hours worked.
“The persistent weakness in UK productivity reflects the longstanding structural problems in our economy from a chronic skills shortage, to our creaking infrastructure and the escalating cost of doing business in the UK. Delivering solutions to these key business concerns would help boost investment and drive the productivity gains we need to boost the UK’s long-term growth potential.”
Networking breakfast event ‘Need a Helping Hand ? Our Students can help your business grow !’ on 10 November 2015, 7.30 -9.00am at the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
Join us to find out about the Graduate Trainee Management Scheme (GTMS) and the MBA Consultancy programme.
Who should attend?
This event is aimed at companies with ambitions to grow and who may be seeking expert hands-on-help, knowledge and advice from current students or graduates who themselves would value an opportunity to apply theory and practice to real life business scenarios.
Registration: Registration for this event is now open. Please register your place before 27 October 2015.
Cost: This event isFREE to attend and includes free parking.
This event is hosted by Norwich Business School (NBS) and Adapt, a major strategic group in UEA dedicated to knowledge transfer and commercialisation in the low carbon sector.
Here at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. As you know there are changes in data protection law, so we wanted you to know we’ve updated our privacy policy.
Your trust and protection of your data is important to us, and we want to make sure you understand what these changes mean for you. This Privacy Policy is designed to inform you of our policy and practices and to tell you of the way your information is collected and used.
Norfolk Chamber ensures that any data received will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.
As result of GDPR we have recently sent a number of emails to our contacts to opt-in to continue receiving our email marketing. If haven’t yet responded and want to keep receiving email communications from us, you can sign up here.
If you have any questions about how we manage your data please call 01603 625977 or email hello@norfolkchamber.co.uk
Join us for our first Co.Solo netwalking event of the year and make co.nnections whilst enjoying the beautiful views at Whitlingham Country Park.
What better way to give your wellbeing a boost than by spending time outside in the fresh air, networking with fellow business professionals at the beautiful Whitlingham Country Park (whilst also getting those important steps in) and enjoying a rewarding drink and slice of cake at the end!
This outside event will start at Whitlingham Café, where we will meet for our walk around the broad. For those that would like to continue networking at the end of the walk, we will stop at the café for a well needed coffee and slice of cake (you will be required to pay for your own refreshments)
Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Norwich. NR14 8TR
Who’s it for?
Co.Solo, Sole Traders Freelancers and anyone who wants to connect and engage with other businesses in the Norfolk area.
This event is free of charge for our members with a small admin fee for non-members. All participants will be required to pay for parking –
Car Park Address: Flint Barn, Whitlingham Country Park, 808110 Whitlingham Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR14 8TS Contactless and online payments are available – tickets must be clearly displayed on the front windscreen of the passenger side of your car. For more information on parking please visit www.rcpparking.com
There’s still time to book your early bird stand at B2B 2018. You can save £50 on the cost of your stand if you book online by Friday 25 May.
Celebrating its 20th year in 2018, the B2B Exhibtion brings together the finest business minds in Norfolk and beyond, giving you access to hundreds of businesses contacts that are looking for bright ideas and are keen to explore new opportunities.
B2B 2018 is the region’s premier business to business exhibition, offering your business a unique opportunity to maximise visibility of their brand, raise your profile and show Norfolk what you can offer.
Booking early not only saves you money, but offers you priority booking to reserve your preferred stand location.
When was the last time you saw the sun rise or spent the night having a well-deserved catch-up with your best friends? Well now’s your chance and with the added bonus that you can raise vital funds to provide care and support to local life-threatened children, young people and their families.
On the night of Saturday 24th October, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is asking people to host an ‘Awakeover’; a night where you have fun staying awake so families can gain some much-needed sleep.
The rest families are able to gain from short breaks offered at EACH’s three hospices across East Anglia is invaluable and the funds raised from sponsorship at your ‘Awakeover’ will ensure these vital services can continue for families when they need it most.
The ‘Awakeover’ takes place on the night of Saturday 24th October and carries on into the morning of Sunday 25th October. This is the start of the October Half Term holidays – so there really is no excuse not to get involved!
Saturday 24th October is also the night the clocks go back, which means you’ll have to stay awake an hour longer, but it’s a small price to pay for the big difference you’ll make to families who need 24/7 care and support.
Here are some ideas for your Awakeover:
Bake your way through until the morning light; either eating as you go or selling your produce and donating the proceeds on top of your sponsorship.
To banish those sleepy feelings during your Awakeover, incorporate activities to keep you moving and wide awake! A dance-off or a sports challenge on a games console are perfect ways to stay active.
Stock up on your favourite snacks – or better still make your own and award prizes for the best tasting creations!
Host a karaoke night- surely no one can sleep through all that noise!
Never had the chance to watch that trilogy or box set? Why not host a movie marathon and stock up on the popcorn to get you through the night.
Experience the thrill of a Vegas style casino night – get dressed to impress, make suitably sophisticated snacks and hope lady luck is on your side!
Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, Risk? All these games are highly addictive and likely to last all night, so gather your family and friends and compete to be crowned board game champion!
How your ‘Awakeover’ will help families:
Archie Jinks was diagnosed with West Syndrome when he was four months old. West Syndrome is the term used to describe a type of epilepsy which most typically starts in the first year of life. One of the most valuable services EACH provides for Archie and his mum Claire Skingley is the overnight breaks at their Quidenham Hospice in Norfolk; which ensures Archie gets the care he needs while Claire gets a well deserved rest. Claire said: “We receive regular overnight stays at Quidenham. This is a huge help to both Archie and I as he requires 24 hour care and it’s lovely to visit and have a rest knowing Archie is cared for. I always stay with Archie as it’s lovely to watch him have so much attention and enjoy himself. It’s a break for both of us and a way of creating magical memories.”
To register your ‘Awakeover’ or to find out more about this event, please visit: www.each.org.uk/awakeover
Commenting on the Holt Review into apprenticeships, which has been published today (Wednesday), Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber, said:
“Norfolk employers will expect swift implementation of the practical recommendations contained in the Holt Review. Apprenticeships offer a valuable route for young people to earn a wage while developing skills that are valued by employers. Businesses want to support the transition from education to work, but they also want a skills system that is more responsive to their needs.
“Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will build on our work with local schools and the National Apprenticeship Service to ensure young people are able to make informed decisions about their future. Apprenticeships can often offer a more reliable route into a good job than continued academic study, but too many young people don’t get the information and guidance they need to make the right choice for their own future.
“The government’s decision to widen the eligibility criteria for the Apprenticeship Grant for Employers will encourage more employers to take on an apprentice in the 16-24 age bracket. Ministers should go one step further though, and encourage businesses to invest in apprenticeship training for young people who are eligible for Youth Contract wage incentives, by allowing apprenticeship grants and Youth Contract incentives to be combined. Providing the most vulnerable young people with valued skills and a respected qualification that will serve them in the long-term would really be something to celebrate.”
With English apples set for the biggest crop in 20 years celebrate autumn at Gressenhall with all things appley; pressing, tasting, buying and naming. Bring your own apples for identification, play apple games, see apples being pressed and taste some apple juice or cider. Meet local craftspeople and buy local produce including autumnal fruits, meat, preserves and cakes.
Take a stroll around the museum’s orchard which contains traditional East Anglian varieties and was planted on the site of the workhouse burial ground in the 1920s.
Event Day Admission Prices: Adult £13.50, Concessions. £12.50, Young People (4-18) £10.00
Family ticket (1 adult + all children): £28.50; Family ticket (2 adults + all children): £38.00
The British Chambers of Commerce, together with the accredited Chamber Network, including Norfolk Chamber, run Britain’s largest and most influential private business survey – the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES). The next fieldwork period for the QES will start on Monday 21 May 2018 and will be open for 3 weeks.
But why should your organisation take part? Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber’s Public Affairs Manager outlines why she wants more input from Norfolk businesses:
“The QES is Britain’s largest, and longest-running, private business survey and it’s a leading economic indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics. With the uncertainty of Brexit and the UK economy effectively treading water at present, it is more important than ever that as many businesses as possible take part.
“By completing the QES you are helping to identify how strong our local economy is and how well it is performing against the national averages. Norfolk has many dynamic and innovative businesses, we need to have a strong voice and ensure our region gets the credit and investment that it deserves.”
Below are just a few more reasons why your organisation should take part in this important economic survey:
It’s provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives over 7,500 business responses. Compare that to the average business survey, which garners only a few hundred responses.
Norfolk responses represent over 34% of the responses from the East of England. (East of England includes: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire).
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates.
HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.
The more Norfolk businesses that take part – the louder the voice of the Norfolk business community will be.
So what can your business do to contribute to the QES? During the fieldwork period, the survey can be completed electronically. There are several ways to access this online survey either:
Use the link within the Chamber Policy news article or;
Use the link that the Chamber can send direct to you